Magnetic-clutch and power-station system



(No Model.)

b kg? Wz'zvzegse B. J. ARNOLD.

MAGNETIGOLUTGH AND POWER STATION SYSTEM.

2 SheetsSheet l.

Patented Mar. 22,1898.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BION J. ARNOLD, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

MAGNETIC-CLUTCH AND POWER-STATION SYSTEM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 600,941, dated March22, 1898.

Application filed June 20,1896. Serial No. 596,290. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, BION J. ARNOLD, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Magnetic-Clutch andPower- Station Systems, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to power systems or devices for transmitting powerin power plants and to the particular clutch mechanisms whereby theseveral shaft portions are properly connected.

It would be well nigh impossible for me in a single patent to show allthe different applications of my invention, as the construction anderection of such power plants vary greatly with the conditions underwhich they are set up and used. Ihave therefore simply undertaken toshow one or two construct-ions and arrangements wherein my invention isemployed and wish to use these merely as illustrative of such invention.In the drawings this particular application has been shown.

Figure l is a longitudinal section through a power plant containing twodynamoelectric machines and two driving-shafts. Fig. 2 is a sideelevation of a somewhat similar arrangement in which threedynamo-electric machines are employed. Fig. 3 is an enlarged side Viewof the clutch-body on theintermediate shaft. Fig. 4 is across-section online i 4: of Fig. 3. Figs. 5 and 6 are detail cross-sections of modifiedforms of the clutch.

Like parts are indicated by the same letters in all the figures.

A A are bearings for the short drivingshafts A A I do not deem itnecessary to show more with regard to these driving-shafts. They may beof any length, size, or shape and driven in any desired manner or by anykind of power and may be connected so as to do other work than that withwhich I am concerned in this description. It is enough for my presentpurposes that these two parts A A indicate the extremities ofdriving-shafts. Each of these carries the clutch-body portions 13 B,with suitable brushes C C, bearing on the rings D D, whereby current maybe introduced to the magnets D D on such clutch-body when the same is amagnetic clutch.

E is an intermediate shaft, which in this instance is placed so that theaXes of the three shafts coincide. The intermediate shaft has itsbearing at E, and it is normally idle that is to say, it is idle in thefirst instance, as will be hereinafter explained. The dynamo-electricmachines are each driven and can be kept in continuous operation withoutthe aid of the intermediate shaft so long as they are driven each fromits own associated driving-shaft, and hence the intermediate shaft isspoken of as normally idle or at rest.

F F are hollow shafts which encircle each a portion of the intermediateshaft E,and which preferably have their independent bearings G G. Oneach of these hollow shafts is a power-transmitter H H, which in thiscase is the rotating armature of'a dynamo-electric machine. This is theapplication of my i11- vention which I have at present particularly inmind, though it is evident that various features of my invention areentirely applicable in a case where some other power-transmitter-as, forinstance, a pulley and belt or gear-wheel for driving any kind ofmachineryshould be employed. The best example of my invention, however,is that in which, as in the device illustrated in Fig. 1, I obtain theadvantages without the disadvantages of both the direct-connectionsystem for dynamos and for dynamo-electric machines and the systemwherein such machines are belt connected with a common driving-shaft. Oneach of these hollow shafts is placed a cl utchbody portion J J, withits brushes K Kbearing on the rings L L when the sameis organized as amagnetic clutch. These bodies J J also contain the magnets M M and N N.Opposed to each of these several magnets are rings 0 O, P P, and Q Q.These rings are preferably V-shaped in cross-section. R R are theclutch-bodies carrying the rings Q Q and P P and keyed to theintermediate shaft by the key S, so as to rotate therewith. These ringsare held to the body by means of the bolts T, which pass through thebody portion R and are screw-threaded into the ring on one side of thatbody and provided with a projecting head T, which moves in a cavity T inthe ring on the opposite side of the body. A spiral spring T encirclesthe bolt between the head T and the body R and thus tends elastically tohold the ring against the body. Each ring is preferably secured in thismanner to, say, three of such bolts, so that it is free to move to orfrom the body, though normally held against it, and so that it willrotate with the body. Alike method of securing the rings 0 O is employedas indicated in Fig. 1 at the right-hand side, though in this case thehead and spring are outside the body portion B.

Turning now to Fig. 2, the driving-connection devices or clutches arenotshown in detail. They are indicated by the letter U. Thedynamo-electric machines are not shown in detail, but are indicated bythe letters V V V The intermediate shaft is here provided with twobearings E E and a third hollow shaft IV is introduced supported on thebearings W" 7 and provided with a different clutchas, for example, themechanical clutch W. All these parts are of course suitably mounted on aproper bed, plate, or base X, which may be of iron, stone, concrete, orother suitable material, so as to maintain them in proper relation. Inlieu of the magnetic clutch which I have shown the mechanical clutch Wcould be used to throw the central dynamo-electric machine in or out ofoperative connection with the intermediate shaft. As a substitute forthe other clutches N N, I might employ either the clutch of Fig. 5 orthe clutch of Fig. 6. In the clutch of .Fig. 5 the three cl nteh-bodiesare connected, as occasion may require, by either or both of the bolts YZ, so as to get the same result as has been previously set forth. In thedevice of Fig. 6 the same result is reached by the use of some or all ofthe keys Y Z. In Fig. 5, when it is desired to operatively connect thepart It with the part B, the bolt Y is placed in position. Then it isdesired to connect the part B with the part J, the bolt Z is placed inposition, as shown, and when it is desired to connect both of said.parts together the two bolts will be placed in position. lVhen it isdesired to connect the part J with the part B, a bolt similar to thebolt Y will be placed in the similar opening shown below the shaft E. InFig. 6 these several connections instead of being made by bolts are madeby means of the keys Z. These devices of Figs. 5 and 6 are themechanical means by which a result similar to that obtained by the useof the magnetic clutches may be reached. As previously pointed out, I donot wish to be limited here to specific mechanism or to the precise formand arrangement of the several parts or to the use of the exact numberof the several parts which I have illustrated.

The use and operation of my invention are as follows: Assuming, forexample, two machines, preferably dynamo-electric, having each itsrotating part mounted upon the hollow shaft, we will have the followingoperation: This rotary shaft preferably has its independent bearings,and within it lies or rotates the intermediate shaft, having itsindependent bearing. At one side is mounted the driving-shaft, which, bymeans of the clutch mechanism or the driving-connection device, can beoperatively connected with the hollow shaft by means of the magnet M andring 0. Thus the driving-shaft A drives the rotating part of thedynamo-electric machine. I do not show the circuits of any of theseparts, as that is a matter well understood by electricians and can bevaried at will. It now, for some reason, it becomes desirable for thedriving-shaft A to be made to drive the dy name-electric machine V themachine V being at rest, the magnet M is caused to release the ring 0,whereupon the springs T restore the ring to its normal position anddisengage the two parts of the clutch. Current is now supplied to themagnet D and an operative connection made between the two clutchbodies Rand B, whereupon the shaft A drives the intermediate shaft E, while thehollow shaft F is at rest. Turning to the right hand clutch, the magnetN is energized so as to effect operative connection between the twoclutch-bodies It and J, whereupon the hollow shaft F is set in motionand the rotating part of the dynamo-electric machine V is set inoperation. Thus the shaft A operates the right-hand dynamo-electricmachine. If now we wish to operate two machines from the onedriving-shaft, the magnet I\l may be again energized to make operativeconnection between the clutch-bodies J and B as well as between theclutch-bodies R and 13. Thus both dynamos are operated from the sameshaft. The parts all being in this case duplicates of each other, it isplain that in like manner either or both of the machines may be drivenfrom the right-hand shaft. Now in the construction shown in Fig. 2, or,in other words, where there are series of dynamo-electric machines, theintermediate shaft may have one or more of these coupled to it, and thismaybe done either by mechanical or magnetic clutches, as indicated. Inother words, there may be a series of hollow shafts; but of course theremight be more than one rotating part of a dynamo-electric machine oneither or all of such hollow shafts. Then the magnet M is energized, thering 0 is attracted, so as to be brought in contact with the part J.Since this ring 0 is connected to the part B by means of thelongitudinally-movable bolts T, it will be seen that the ring will moveaway from the part 13, thereby making contact with the part J withoutbringing either of the parts B or J into contact with the ring on thepart B. lVhen this magnet is energized, the driving-shaft A drives therotating part of the dynamo-electric machine. lVhen the magnet M is deenergized, the springs T surrounding the bolts T, move the ring 0 back incontact with the part B, thereby disconnecting the shaft A from theintermediate shaft E.

I claim 1. The combination of a driving-shaft with two powertransmittingshafts, said power transmitting shafts located at one end of saiddriving shaft one surrounding the other, power-transmitters adapted tobe operatively connected one with each of said power-trans mittingshafts, and a driving-connection device associated with each of saidshafts whereby either of said power-transmitting shafts may beseparately and independentl connected with the driving-shaft.

2. The combination of a driving-shaft with two power-transmitting shaftsone hollow and encircling the other, power-transmitters adapted to beoperatively connected one with each of said transmitting-shafts, and adriving-connect-ion device adapted to operatively connect thedriving-shaft with either or both of the power-transmitting shafts.

3. The combination of a driving-shaft with two power-transmittingshafts, one hollow and encircling the other, a power-transmitternormally operatively connected with the hollow shaft, and adriving-connection device adapted to operatively connect the hollowshaft with either of the other two shafts.

4. The combination of a driving-shaft with two power-transmittingshafts, both adapted to be operatively connected to a power-transmitterone hollow and encircling the other, a dynamo-electric machine, itsmovable part operatively connected with the hollow shaft, and adriving-connection device adapted to connect the hollow shaft witheither of the other two.

5. The combination of two driving-shafts with an intermediate shaft andtwo hollow shafts, having separate bearings and encircling each aportion of the intermediate shaft, a driving-connection device locatedat one end of each of said driving-shafts and adapted to operativelyconnect each driving-shaft with the adjacent hollow shaft and also withthe intermediate shaft whereby either or both of the driving-shaftsmaybe operatively connected with the intermediate shaft.

6. The combination of two driving-shafts with an intermediate normallyidle shaft, and two hollow shaft-s having separate bearings andencircling each a portion of the normally idle shaft, driving-connectiondevices located at one end of each of said driving-shafts so that eitheror both of the driving-shafts may be operatively connected with thenormally idle shaft, and a driving-connection. device located at theends of said hollow shafts and adapted to connect each hollow shaft withits associated driving-shaft.

7. The combination of two driving-shafts with an intermediate normallyidle shaft, and two hollow shafts having separate bearings andencircling each a portion of the normally idle shaft, adriving-connection device located at one end of each of saiddriving-shafts, whereby either or both the driving-shafts may beoperatively connected with the normally idle shaft, a driving-connectiondevice located at the end of each hollow shaft and adapted to connecteach hollow shaft with the associated driving-shaft, and adriving-connection device on said normally idle shaft inter mediatebetween the driving-connection device on the driving-shaft and eachhollow shaft whereby either hollow shaft may be operatively connectedwith the normally idle shaft.

8. The combination of two drivingshafts with an intermediate-shaftportion, powerconnection devices located at or near the ends of saiddriving-shafts and said intermediateshaft portion,whereby theintermediate-shaft portion may be connected to either or both of saiddriving-shafts, a series of hollow shafts encircling theintermediate-shaft portion and carrying each a power-transmitter, saidhollow shafts each carrying a driving-connection device at its endthereof, opposed to the driving-connection device on the associateddriving-shaft and on the intermediate-shaft portion so that each hollowshaft may be connected with its associated driving-shaft or with theintermediate shaft.

9. The combination of two'driving-shafts with an intermediate normallyidle shaft, 1101- low shafts, having separate bearings, encircling eacha portion of the intermediate shaft,

and a driving-connection device associated with the three shafts andprovided with controllable interlocking parts connected with therespective shafts and constructed so that each driving-shaft can beconnected with its associated hollow shaft or its associated end of theintermediate shaft when the interlockin g parts of the connection deviceare brought into engagement.

10. The combination of a driving-shaft with a second shaft, a hollowshaft encircling the same, the three ends of the shafts provided eachwith a portion of a driving-connection device so that any two of them orall three of them may be operatively connected.

11. The combination of a driving-shaft with a second shaft, a hollowshaft encircling the same, the three ends of the shafts provided eachwith a portion of a driving-connection device so that any two of them orall three of them may be operatively connected, and power transmittingdevices connected one with the hollow shaft and one with the secondshaft.

12. In a clutch device for operatively connecting the adjacent ends ofshafts in a power system, the combination of opposed clutchbodies, onehaving a ring adapted to move to or from but to rotate with the body,the other having a magnet to draw and clamp the ring.

13. In a clutch device for operatively connecting the adjacent ends ofshafts in a power system, the combination of opposed clutchbodies, onehaving a ring adapted to move to or from but to rotate with the body,the other having a magnet to draw and clamp the ring, said ring somewhatV-shaped in cross-section and the opposed clutch-body provided with acorrespondingly-shaped an nular groove to receive the ring.

14. In a clutch device for connecting the adjacent ends of three shaftsin a power system, the combination of a clutch-body portion connectedwith each shaft with rings and magnets associated with said bodies, therings adapted to rotate with and to move to or from their respectivebodies, and the magnets connected in opposition to the rings on one ofthe other bodies.

15. In a clutch device for connecting the adjacent ends of shafts inapower system, the combination of clutch-body portions one on each shaftwith rings V-shaped in cross-section, and opposed annular grooves oflike shape, magnets in the bottom of such groove and means whereby therings are held so as to rotate with but move to or from their respectiveclutch-bodies.

10. In a power system the combination of three shafts, one hollow, thethree ends adjacent to each other, with a clutch-body portion on eachshaft, and a series of clutch connections whereby either clutch-body canbe operatively connected with either or both of the others.

17. In a power system the combination of three shafts, one hollow, thethree ends adjacent to each other, with a clutch-body portion on eachshaft, and a series of clutch connections whereby either clutch-body canbe operatively connected with either or both of the others, such clutchconnections consisting of magnets and opposed rings, the latterconnected so as to move to or from but to rotate with their respectiveclutch-bod y portions.

BIO J. ARNOLD.

\Vitnesses:

BERTHA O. SIMS, L. W. JoHNsToNE.

